Suspicious behaviour

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J

JohnCKirk

Veteran
I was cycling home last week, and while I was stopped at a traffic light I saw someone else cycling towards me (on the pavement). As well as his own bike, he was using one hand to push a second bike along next to him. This looked a bit suspicious to me, i.e. I wondered whether he'd stolen this second bike, but I didn't have any proof, so I didn't say anything.

He saw me looking at him, and asked "Do you want to buy this bike?" I said "No thanks", and as he went past he made a comment about liking my bike; under the circumstances, that seemed more like a veiled threat than an honest compliment.

What would the rest of you do in a situation like that? As I say, I didn't have any evidence to accuse him of stealing, so I couldn't really call the police, but it's annoying to think that people can be quite blatant about it.
 
swee'pea99

swee'pea99

Squire
Honestly? Exactly what you did. I wouldn't beat yourself up about it. It probably was stolen, but what could you have done?
 
PBancroft

PBancroft

Senior Member
Location
Winchester
I would have jumped off my bike and grabbed the one he was pushing, tearing the front wheel from the forks (who needs quick release?). Immediately I'd bend the spokes apart and thrust the wheel over his head, quickly but neatly tidying the spokes back up again. As he was stunned I'd twist the bike frame into a rope, and tie it in a knot around his ankles to stop him from getting away so that the authorities could pick him up later.

Then I'd cycle off to the next scene of crime, ensuring that my cape was carefully tucked away into my backpack.

Or I'd do what you did. Whatever.
 
6

661-Pete

Guest
I remember once cycling home from the shop, pushing a second bike alongside my own. It wasn't easy! The second bike was in fact my wife's. No-one cast me a suspicious glance. Maybe I'm an honest-looking sort of bloke...:biggrin:
 
J

just4fun

New Member
You did what you could. Had you called the police they would of spent about an hour interviewing you and in all likelyhood they person would not of been caught. With the time saved by you not calling the police, they may have done something more beneficial to society.
 
OP
OP
J

JohnCKirk

Veteran
Thanks all - it's reassuring to know that other people would have acted the same way, although Kaipaith's plan did make me laugh.
 
Tynan

Tynan

Veteran
Location
e4
did the bloke look in any way a bit gypsy?

a van load of gypsy like types tried to buy my bike a few weeks ago as I had it upside adjusting the inner tube

I see feral types round here from time to time hurrying along with unlikely items under their arm
 
marinyork

marinyork

Resting in suspended Animation
Location
Logopolis
JohnCKirk said:
He saw me looking at him, and asked "Do you want to buy this bike?" I said "No thanks", and as he went past he made a comment about liking my bike; under the circumstances, that seemed more like a veiled threat than an honest compliment.
Click to expand...

I've pushed two bikes home before, picking one up for other people. If geography allowed I'd probably cycle one and push the other - it doesn't it is hilly round here and the roads don't suit it. However, comments like this are a rather different matter.
 
U

ufkacbln

Guest
661-Pete said:
I remember once cycling home from the shop, pushing a second bike alongside my own. It wasn't easy! The second bike was in fact my wife's. No-one cast me a suspicious glance. Maybe I'm an honest-looking sort of bloke...:smile:
Click to expand...

Or well known.......

I have distinctive bikes and trikes. We had friends round and he borrowed my Trike for a trip to the local shop. He was challenged twice and we got a phone call from a friend who lives near the shop to ask if I knew someone was on my trike!
 
U

ufkacbln

Guest
Tynan said:
did the bloke look in any way a bit gypsy?

a van load of gypsy like types tried to buy my bike a few weeks ago as I had it upside adjusting the inner tube

I see feral types round here from time to time hurrying along with unlikely items under their arm
Click to expand...

Its part of a training routine...

How do you make a (Insert group here) run faster - stick a video under their arm!
 
andyfromotley

andyfromotley

New Member
Location
Otley, west yorks
JohnCKirk said:
I was cycling home last week, and while I was stopped at a traffic light I saw someone else cycling towards me (on the pavement). As well as his own bike, he was using one hand to push a second bike along next to him. This looked a bit suspicious to me, i.e. I wondered whether he'd stolen this second bike, but I didn't have any proof, so I didn't say anything.

He saw me looking at him, and asked "Do you want to buy this bike?" I said "No thanks", and as he went past he made a comment about liking my bike; under the circumstances, that seemed more like a veiled threat than an honest compliment.

What would the rest of you do in a situation like that? As I say, I didn't have any evidence to accuse him of stealing, so I couldn't really call the police, but it's annoying to think that people can be quite blatant about it.
Click to expand...

Not quite right, if you had called and i had turned up (when i used to do that sort of thing) i would most definitely be intersted in finding out why he had that bike, and why he was offering it for sale in such unusual circumstances, particularly if it was one that had obvious value or one i would have a reasonable chance of actually tracing to a legitimate owner.

Unfortunately by the time you would have called them he would of course have been long gone and lots of bobbies who turn up wouldnt have a clue if they were looking at a colnago C40 or someones 10 year old hack bike. And as in everything some officers would be more interested in others. And for others, bike theft may not even be on thier radar. (in my years as a uniformed bobby i think i only ever dealt with one report of bike theft.)

But if anyone does come across something similar try calling the cops, you may be surprised and get something similar to my response.

But i would definitely be taking extra care with your bike locks after his comment!
 
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